John Brown was a villain because he killed innocent men, abused power and money given to him, and kidnapped two men. “He was not only a murderer of innocent persons, but he attempted one of the greatest crimes against society -- the stirring up of a servile and civil war.” (Document H, Our Harper’s Ferry and Charleston News) John Brown was an abolitionist who thought that slavery should end at any cost. He was hanged for treason in 1859 when he took his acts too far. To this day there is still controversy on whether or not he was a hero or villain based on the difference between his acts and intentions. John Brown was a violent man who killed and acted unreasonably on emotion. John Brown killed 3 innocent men. According to Document E, Mahala Doyle wrote a letter to John Brown expressing her frustration towards him and his actions. …show more content…
Killing is wrong, especially when the victims are innocent, like these three men. “... you can’t say you did it to free our slaves, we had none and never expected to own one... “ Mahala wrote in her letter to John Brown. John Brown was given $5,000 to help slaves defend themselves, but used it to attempt attack on their owners. The evidence in Document D shows the National Kansas Committee had sent John Brown $5,000 for defensive purposes on January 24th, 1857. If you look back to Document C it states that Brown bought 1,000 pikes with that money he was gifted, his intentions with the pikes were to start revolts against owners. Heros don’t abuse the power given to them to help other people. “... the sum of five thousand dollars to be used by the Committee in aid of Capt. John Brown in any defensive measures that may become necessary...” (Document D, H. B. Hurd Sec. N. K. Com.) John Brown kidnapped two men. According to Document A, John Brown kidnapped two men from their